Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear - The Assault on NJ Public School Students

By Victoria A. Jakelsky

I am sure most of the readers of this article have fond memories of the old children’s church song, O Be Careful, Little Eyes, as it reminds us that what we see, hear, say, and do, all have a great effect on our lives. Even as an adult, I often question if what I am seeing, hearing, or doing is harmful. Yet today, in most NJ Public Schools those exact things, that most holy books teach us to flee from, are not only being taught but being forced upon your children as normal; and, if questioned, your children are being labeled as bigots, bullies, or religious zealots. Just imagine if as a child you were sent to the school’s principal’s office because you said that marriage was the union of one man and one woman or that all lives matter and ALL are precious in HIS sight… But yet, in today’s schools, this ideology is the mainstream, and your children are the casualties of it all.

How did we get here? Well, it was long in coming, but over the past four years Governor Murphy sure played a major part in this extreme assault against family values and the efforts to strip your children of their innocence. Those who follow NJ law, politics, and public policy, know that most bills take months in the draft stages and change a number of times prior to being “dropped” or introduced into a NJ Legislature Committee for review, but not in the Murphy Administration, at least not the ones forcing ideology into our public schools. As we all know, on January 16, 2018, Phil Murphy was sworn into office to replace Chris Christie as N.J. Governor. THEN, on February 5, less than three weeks following Murphy being sworn in, Bill No. S1569, the LGBT Curriculum Bill, was introduced. Now this was very unusual, as most school policy previously started in the school or in the Department of Education before the push to draft law and create public policy, but that changed as soon as Murphy took office. The pending LGBT Curriculum Bill was pushed by LGBT Activists, and it was a clear effort to mandate the celebration of the LGBT lifestyle in all NJ schools, K-12.

The bill took the normal path in the legislature; however, when parents, concerned citizens, and many people of faith testified before the NJ State School Board on January 8, 2020, the reaction from the members of the State School Board was to say that it was out of their hands, that it was already law, and the steps it took to get there were in reverse. Almost every NJ State School Board Member and many of the NJ Department of Education (DOE) employees said that this type of policy normally started at the district level with the schools or at the DOE, but not this one, it was sent right to the Senate Education Committee with no input of influence from the DOE or the then Commissioner of Education, Dr. Repollet. The far left and Governor Murphy were “guided” by Garden State Equality (GSE), whose own web page declares that “[They] are New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ advocacy and education organization with over 150,000 members”. Murphy and GSE led the school superintendents and the NJ DOE to believe that this celebration of the LGBT lifestyle was required to be in all subjects and that parents could not opt-out. However, that is not what the law requires. The law ONLY requires the individual school boards to decide what is taught and what is appropriate. The requirements are to comply with the NJ Learning Standards.

Below is the text of the LGBT Curriculum Law (please note there is no “Q” or any other letter other than “LGBT”).

CHAPTER 6 - An Act concerning instruction and instructional materials in public schools and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

C.18A:35-4.35 History of disabled and LGBT persons included in middle and high school curriculum.

1. A board of education shall include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

C.18A:35-4.36 Policies, procedures pertaining to inclusive instructional materials.

2. A board of education shall have policies and procedures in place pertaining to the selection of instructional materials to implement the requirements of section 1 of this act. When adopting instructional materials for use in the schools of the district, a board of education shall adopt inclusive instructional materials that portray the cultural and economic diversity of society including the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, where appropriate.

After more than a year of working to mitigate this assault on parental rights, family values, and the purity of the children, Victoria Jakelsky, NJ Parental Rights Director, along with 11 members of the Team PYC – Protect Your Children leadership team had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Repollet. The meeting was held in the Department of Education in February 2020. Dr. Repollet made it very clear that all NJ public school districts have the right to decide how, where, and when all LGBT matters are presented and/or taught. That it would be up to the conservative voices if we wanted to stop the GSE plan to force this dogma into each and every NJ classroom. He explained that the NJ 2020 Learning Standards were in the process of being developed by the committees and that the public would have the right to testify for or against what they presented, and the draft required learning standards for 2021-2025. And that we did. Team PYC pleaded that the LGBT disinformation and far left ideology be mitigated and replaced with family friendly material. Dozens testified for this; however, the other side outnumbered us and on June 5, 2020, the NJ State School Board voted after a very heated discussion.

Board vice president Andrew Mulvihill said “I just don’t think a teacher should be telling kids that one of the things you can do if you get pregnant is to go have an abortion…. There is a whole new section addressing transgender issues from the second grade on,” he said. “I was just hoping we could work on the concept of respecting all people for who they are and what they are.”

Mary Elizabeth Gazi, raised concerns about parental rights stating, “This is personal, and I may not be popular for saying it, but I have gotten the message loud and clear from a lot of parents…When a student is taught something in school that undermines the core values that a parent is trying to instill, to me that’s a problem. That’s a big problem” stated Gazi.

After the heated and emotional deliberation, the left leaning 2020 NJ Learning Standards (NJLS) were approved with a single resolution 8-4 vote. Ronald Butcher, the board’s most senior member stated that there would be more debate regarding the outcome, “Since 1996, I don’t remember any of the standards meeting 100 percent acceptance… we need to focus on what is in the best interest of our students today.”

NJ DOE Commissioner, Dr. Repollet, along with his staff answered THAT THERE REMAINED RIGHTS UNDER STATE AND LOCAL CODE FOR FAMILIES TO OPT OUT OF CERTAIN INSTRUCTION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

AND opt-out they can, but right now only if the radical left curriculum is only placed in health!

N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.7 is the NJ State Law that gives every parent of a child in the NJ public school system the legal right to be excused from being taught any material that stands in contradiction to their religious beliefs.

N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.7, any student whose parent presents to the Principal a signed statement that any part of the instruction in health, family life education, OR SEX EDUCATION IS IN CONFLICT WITH HIS/HER CONSCIENCE OR SINCERELY HELD MORAL OR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS shall be excused from that portion of the course where such instruction is being given and no penalties as to credit or graduation shall result. (Emphasis added)

So how did the NJ Democrats and Governor Murphy respond to the push back and cry from many NJ parents, leaders of faith, taxpayers and concerned citizen groups? In efforts to force this material into all classrooms, they proceeded by introducing the Inclusion Bill which was signed by Governor Murphy and became law in March of 2020.

The Inclusion Bill was drafted with the intent to force schools to teach LGBT+ material to students in every grade, K-12.

During the December 7, 2020, Senate Education Committee, Senator Doherty was very strong and clear as to why this legislation is harmful, “The idea that we’re going to expose four- and five-year old’s to some of these teachings… You’re going to destroy these children. The idea that we’re going to expose innocent children to these concepts. We were proud about what brought us together as American citizens. This bill is highlighting and exacerbating our differences. These folks have an agenda. We’re going to make people of religious faith second class citizens. We need to bring people together. I vote no.”

Senator Sam Thompson voted no stating, “My friend Governor Codey who sponsored the bill in his opening remarks said his social mores were engendered through his family. I think that’s an appropriate approach. I vote no.”

The bill passed though, and unless the Republicans win a large number of seats, we will not be able to fight these matters in the state legislator anytime soon.

The votes for the “Inclusion Bill” were as follows:

S2781 – Requires school districts to include instruction on diversity and inclusion as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. (teaching LGBT matter to NJ Public School - K-12)

26 YES (25 votes were from Democrats – The only (R) YES vote Sen. Chris Brown who is NOT running to keep his seat)

13 NO – (ALL 13 were Republican)

A4454 – Requires school districts to include instruction on diversity and inclusion as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. (teaching LGBT matter to NJ Public School - K-12)

46 YES - (All 46 were Democrats)

29 NO - (28 were Republicans and our hero Jamel Holley (D) joined us to protect the children)

Many republicans spoke out in defence of family values including Senator Doherty, Senator Thompson, Assemblyman Peterson, and our truest champion in the Assembly, Assemblyman Scharfenberger. The truth about the harm of this indoctrination was now being understood by many.

This year’s 2021 June Primary Election was a clear sign of the times as this fight for the purity of the children entered into most republicans’ platforms.

Then many conservative leaders started to push back and defend parental rights. Hirsh Singh, then candidate for NJ Governor was clear about this agenda going too far, stating, “Critical Race Theory is racist, as well as all of the other indoctrination which include trying to teach our children adult material. That is for the home. Leave it out of the school!” This is the type of leadership we have been crying out for and many are requesting that Hirsh Singh be considered for Lieutenant Governor in the 2021 General Election.

Now, this month, Jack Ciattarelli, NJ Republican candidate for Governor in the 2021 General Election who is up against the tyrannical Governor Murphy, also spoke out against the sexualization of children in the NJ public schools, stating, “Leave our kids alone, let them be kids, and let their own parents parent them… [the pending curriculum] goes too far.”

So, what was exactly approved by the NJ State School Board in June of 2020?

2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards - Comprehensive Health and Physical Education

Page 30:

Puberty is a time of physical, social, and emotional changes.

• 2.1.5.PGD.3: Explain the physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during puberty and adolescence and why the onset and progression of puberty can vary.

• 2.1.5.PGD.4: Explain common human sexual development and the role of hormones (e.g., romantic and sexual feelings, masturbation, mood swings, timing of pubertal onset).

Page 33:

Pregnancy and Parenting Core Idea

Performance Expectations

An awareness of the stages of pregnancy and prenatal care can contribute to a healthy pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child.

• 2.1.8.PP.1: Describe pregnancy testing, the signs of pregnancy, and pregnancy options, including parenting, abortion, and adoption.

Page 34:

Social and Sexual Health Core Idea

Performance Expectations

Inclusive schools and communities are accepting of all people and make them feel welcome and included.

• 2.1.8.SSH.1: Differentiate between gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

• 2.1.8.SSH.2: Develop a plan for the school to promote dignity and respect for people of all genders, gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations in the school community.

There are factors that contribute to making healthy decisions about sex.

• 2.1.8.SSH.7: Identify factors that are important in deciding whether and when to engage in sexual behaviors.

• 2.1.8.SSH.8: Identify factors that can affect the ability to give or perceive consent to sexual activity (e.g., body image, self-esteem, alcohol, other substances).

• 2.1.8.SSH.9: Define vaginal, oral, and anal sex.

Page 63-64:

Gay is an umbrella term that means a person who is emotionally, spiritually, physically, and/or sexually attracted to those of the same gender.

Gender means a person’s sex-related or gender-related characteristics, including one’s gender identity, and has the same legal meaning as “sex.”.

Gender Assigned at Birth means the gender that someone was thought to be at birth, typically recorded on their original birth certificate. The gender someone was assigned at birth may or may not match their gender identity.

Gender Binary means a social system that constructs gender according to two discrete and opposing categories — male or female.

Gender Expression means a person’s gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned gender at birth. It is the manner in which a person represents or expresses their gender to others, such as through their behavior, clothing, hairstyles, activities, voice or mannerisms.

Gender Identity means a person’s internal, deeply held knowledge of their own gender, regardless of the gender they were assigned at birth. All people have a gender identity, not just transgender people.

Gender Nonconforming means a person whose gender expression does not conform to traditional gender expectations. Not all gender nonconforming people identify as transgender. Health Is the overall condition of one being free from disease, illness, and injury.

Gender Transition means a process during which a person begins to live according to their gender identity, rather than the gender they were thought to be at birth. Gender transition looks different for every person. Possible steps in a gender transition may or may not include changing one’s clothing, appearance, and name, and in some cases, changing identification documents or undergoing medical treatments. The steps each person takes depends on their individual needs and access to resources.

Intersex means a person whose sex characteristics may not fit medical definitions of male and female. These characteristics may include, but are not necessarily limited to, internal reproductive organs, external genitalia, and sex chromosomes.

Do you want your children to be taught these terms from teachers who are saying these life choices are to be fully included as common and thought of as normal family lifestyles? Do you want your son to be taught it is commonplace for him to want to wear a dress to school? We say no, along with hundreds of thousands of taxpayers and voters. This is not a RED v. BLUE matter! It is a parental rights matter, and this covers all demographics and all political parties! LET THE KIDS BE KIDS! There is no hate here. Just the simple fact that these matters are too mature and not to be taught in the school using your tax money to do so.

The beloved church song goes as follows:

O be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above

is looking down in love

So, be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little ears what you hear

O be careful little ears what you hear

For the Father up above

is looking down in love

So, be careful little ears what you hear

Should you be forced to pay for material that fills the hearts, minds, eyes and ears of the children the exact material that their holy books say is forbidden? We say no. Please join us each day on Facebook at Team PYC - Protect Your Children - NJ OPEN TEAM! We are working diligently to empower parents in efforts to protect the children.

Push back. Speak out. VOTE. Get involved.

Run for school board. The deadline to get your name on the Nomination Petition Filing Deadline is July 26, 2021 (before 4 p.m.) In most districts you only need less then 20 registered voters to sign your petition. What better way to get your voices heard and protect your children then to sit on the board that is stripping your rights. Please pray about running. If you do not run, please vet ALL of those running for school board in your district and support them, along with the Republicans running for State Senate and State Assembly by helping their campaigns, making calls, donating, attending events and by getting issues like this on the forefront of the discussion.

Additionally, NJ Parental Rights is running a number of workshops this summer in many NJ counties. If you would like to attend, or would like to host one, please email NJParentalRights@outlook.com.

I like to end with one of my favorite quotes:

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.

Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God will not hold anyone of us guiltless. Please take action today.

NJ Parental Rights has the goal to protect children by empowering parents. We operate by donations. Please consider donating by clicking here or helping by sharing this article. Additionally, we are looking for volunteers and interns. Please contact us at NJParentalRights@outlook.com if you would like to help.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6